The Blue Oval has its fair share of oddball concept vehicles. One such model is the quirky 1999 Ford 012C concept, which almost appears more cartoon than car. It’s currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum, where Ford Authority visited the fun little machine in person during our visit to the facility in July 2025.
The 1999 Ford 012C borrows its name from the Pantone code, which represents a bright orange color, said to be its designer Marc Newson’s favorite – although it was later painted lime green, which it still wears to this day. Ford representatives stated that “012C” also stood for the 21st century, which was right around the corner at the time of the concept vehicle’s release.
Speaking of its release, the 012C was named the “Best Concept Car” when it debuted at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. It was built to be “simple, likable, and fun.” Newson said that it was designed to look like the vehicle a child might put on paper when asked to draw a car, representing a “familiar and comfortable object.”
The Ford 012C has quite a few aspects that could be considered mundane by today’s standards, but were quite revolutionary in 1999. Take its single horizontal headlight and rear LED lights, for example – neither of which had ever been used in automotive design to that point. The interior was designed to give an impression of spaciousness despite its small stature, and it features swivel seats with a floating instrument panel that’s completely adjustable.
The 1999 Ford 120C harnesses a 1.6L Zetec engine, said to be capable of 99 brake horsepower. It features front-wheel-drive (FWD) facilitated by a four-speed automatic transmission, and its 16-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in custom graphite-colored Pirelli tires. Its body is composed of carbon fiber composite.
The design of the Ford 012C has aged incredibly well, all things considered. It’s simple and minimalist without appearing generic, and it’s almost a shame that it never made it to production.
The 012C is currently displayed alongside a few one-off Blue Oval concepts, including the Ford Probe IV and the 1995 Ford GT90, the latter of which kicked off the automaker’s New Edge design direction.
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So this is the Model T moment!